I personally didn't care much for the article, Clicking on the link took you to google an from there you had to click on a link, I clicked on the link about the 1-2-3 method and as I read the article it would tell you to see picture 1 and so on but there was no pictures.

They seem to have streamlined their free library, but there is still quite a bit of information in some of these articles that should be useful. If you can find better illustrated articles that carry similar info, please post them. These are gift horses, after all.

Don't leave this forum H-man. pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Mrs. G

Thanks, Mrs. G. I sure hope Scott, fruitnut and Olpea put up with the new format for long enough to find out it's simply a new format. Sure, we all provide content as well as commercial info and such, but there's always a price to pay. It's business, not an entitlement.

By the way, I just purchased an e-book about pruning apples and pears by Bas Van den Ende through the Australian publication you mentioned recently, Treefruit. It would seem to be the definitive book on the subject- at least from the stand point of commercial production. Clear explanations and illustrations if you are willing to pay $32. We are so used to free info and entertainment these days.

I use the KGB system of pruning for cherries. Not much info on it, but this is a fairly simple pruning technique. The one article "Four Steps to pruning" is basically the same technique. Here i a more in depth description.

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/wasco/sites/default/files/kgb_training_system.pdf

Also various videos exist on all the types of pruning you can do with cherries. Since most home growers now get trees on these dwarfing rootstocks, one should learn how to prune them. The pruning is a lot different that other stone fruits or pomes.

Anyway so if you're too lazy to read the article you can watch the video on KGB, or whatever pruning method suits you.

Not sure if all will work here?

The video link didn't work, so here it is as a link . Sewe if this works?

OSU and MSU cherry pruning videos

Wow, I miss editing. I'm dyslexic and often reverse letters or add letters, I'm going to have to check my text better before I post.

I have the same problem getting help from friends with my plants when I'm away!

Vacation help

I agree for cherries this pruning is very easy to apply.

What I wonder if this ‘KGB” technique is applicable for apricots also?

I see similarities in growth characteristics between the two, or are there any pitfalls…?

alcedo

harvestman, I didn't mean to be rude it is just that I like looking at pictures it gives me more information that I can understand, I like your posts and gives me lots of good advise from them.

Yeah the articles are good, as the more you know although for cherries many said dormant pruning, and that can be dangerous, you should prune in late winter or mid-summer. Just cherries that is, others I think are fine. Some disease that can take hold with mid-winter pruning. Sorry forgot already what it is? I also like to spray my copper after pruning just to be safe. Many suggest spraying before and after. Having had canker on a couple trees, I would rather error on the safe side.

I don't know if you could do it on apricots? Most as you know do open center, but that isn't the most productive method. On cherries this method is supposed to take care of the problem of dense fruiting and rejuvenating fruiting wood. No doubt methods of pruning are going to change as we learn more. You hit on something though as we should look at better ways to prune other stone fruit. I have a Nadia plum-cherry cross coming this spring. How the heck would I prune that beast? Should I treat it like a cherry or should I treat it like a plum?

Jimmy, no problem there, I just was saying that that is all I can provide. The Australian publisher Treefruit will sell you an e-book by Bas Van den Ende on pruning apples and pears for $32 which is a bit pricey for a 45 page download but the illustrations are outstanding.

The only problem with studying pruning is every expert has their own opinions and there is so much contradiction it has to make a beginner or even intermediate experienced fruit grower a little crazy.

Drew, thanks for the links. Not a method I would use because I need about 4' of branchless trunk to protect fruit from critters. Guess I could start it a 4' though.

Well Hman your method is pretty cool. Hope I never have to use, but if I do, i know how to do it! I think the important point is how to prune on Gisela, although the technique can be used on any rootstock. the video goes into how to adjust depending on rootstock. I think you could for sure use it at 4 feet. But it would delay fruiting. Still the basic heading of the tips to even the leaf to fruit ratio, and the renewal of wood. You could do that a number of ways, and other pruning methods in those videos, which are listed in the link might make more sense in your situation.

I think with Nadia I will prune to open center as it is on a plum rootstock, and not a dwarfing rootstock.

BTW speaking of dwarfing DWN is sitting on a genetically dwarfed plum. Not sure I want one? But as an ornamental it might be kinda cool.

It is still being field tested.